Greenville is located approximately halfway between Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina. Greenville has gained recognition in various national publications like CNN Money, listing Greenville as one of the “Top 10 Fastest Growing Cities in the U.S.” Bloomberg named Greenville the 3rd Strongest Job Market, 2010; and Forbes named Greenville the 13th Best City for Young Professionals. Additionally, the state of South Carolina has been ranked within the top 10 fastest growing states and economies by the U.S. Commerce Department.

LDS Population

LDS Members make up 0.77% of the population of Greenville. The state of South Carolina has 36,141 members in 6 stakes, 46 wards, 14 branches, 1 mission, and 1 temple in Columbia.

LDS History

The first LDS member in South Carolina is believed to be Emmanual Masters Murphy, who was baptized in Tennessee in 1836. The South Carolina Conference was organized on March 31, 1882. Some of the earliest branches were established at King’s Mountains beginning March 3, 1882, and among the Catawba Indian community beginning July 31, 1885. Conference headquarters were established at the plantation of John Black, a man who remained unbaptized in order to provide refuge for the Church. Many converts, including Indians, moved onto his plantation to escape persecution. The Catawbas also shielded missionaries from persecutions. Most of the Catawbas joined the Church and remained faithful in South Carolina.